Are there any good flightschools in Phoenix AZ?

[smonica]

Hi:

I am trying to get into a good flightschool which can lead me to an airline career.
Does anyone have any good experience with flightschools in Phoenix AZ?
Any personal experience or recommendation would be greatly appreciated.

I apologize if this question has been already answered. I just could not find too much information here on the board.

 

[Westwindflyer]

Take your pick Phoenix is filled with flight schools

Westwind
Pan Am
RAA
Mesa Pilot Dev.
ATP

And many smaller FBO schools.

I personally attended Westwind and was very happy with it. Pan Am is across the parking lot. I have heard not too many good things about Pan AM, alot of their students came to our school. But I guess thats just my opinion.

Be sure to do lots of research and dont let the admissions people blow smoke up your ass.

 

[350DRIVER]

Take a look at Westwind..........I personally have no first hand experience with the school but have heard from a few former instructors that it is a decent outfit with good mx. You may also want to look into Pan Am although I have heard they are somewhat expensive. You can/will save a substantial amount of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ if you look into the not so big name "mom and pop" flight schools at the smaller airports. Many places you are paying for a name and the same quality of instruction can be had at a fraction of the cost at other smaller schools that are not renting magazine space running full page ads.

Good luck in whatever you decide,

3 5 0

 

[msuspartans24]

Stay AWAY from Pan am. Just a bunch of money hungry executives who don't know a thing about business ethics. I started there and ended up missing thousands of dollars from my account, thankfully I got it all back (after 7 months). I finished up at westwind, actually out of the 10 guys in my starting class at pan am, 7 ended up going to westwind. I have however heard some rumors that westwind is in financial troubles. You may want to check this out. Might be just rumors, but worth looking into.

 

[User546]

I second MSUSpartans on Pan Am. I also wouldn't recommend Westwind either. Out of the two I'd pick Westwind, but it's all the same no matter how you look at it, and will cost you much, much more money then you would've normally spent otherwise!

I did all my flight training in Phoenix, and know someone that has attended or taught at almost all the flight schools there.

As for "Academy" type programs:
My first recommendation would be the Mesa Air Pilot Development (MAPD) at Williams Gateway (IWA), followed up by All ATP also at Gateway.

As for "Mom and Pop" type schools:
At the top of my list, hands down would be Falcon Aviation at Falcon Field (FFZ). They have an impressive cross-cut of airplanes, and their maintenance is second to none in the Valley. Always friendly and helpful, they make you feel welcome from the first time you go in. They are the only ones that I would rent airplanes from when I wanted to go up and do some personal flying. Also did my Commercial training in their Piper Arrow, so I can atest to their training program, and quality of aircraft.

I would also recommend you check out Angel Air at Stellar Airpark (P19). I say "mom and pop" but they are very professional, and offer high quality training, and have mostly all new 172's in their training fleet. First class orginization.

Definitely stay away from Chandler Air Services (CHD), Sawyer Aviation (SDL), any flight school out at Glendale (GEU), and Crew Resource Management (SDL).

There is normally a couple more schools I'd recommend, but I just found out from a phone call yesterday that they're both in financial trouble, so I would be hesitant to recommend them.

Good luck searching, and let us know what you find!